UPPER DARBY — The victim of a shooting incident who came to court to testify was allegedly attacked by a friend of the defendant outside the police station after calling him a “rat” and a “snitch.”

Sabu Isaiah Clayton, 23, of the 7400 block of Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia, was in the district court in Upper Darby Police Administration Building, 7236 West Chester Pike, Sept. 13 for the preliminary hearing of his friend Troy Gardner Jr. before Magisterial District Judge Christopher Mattox.

Gardner, 20, is in custody for allegedly firing six shots at the victim, 21, of Yeadon, on June 5 on the first block of South Church Lane, during an ongoing feud.

Gardner and his sister, Tynisha Gardner, 16, of the 400 block of Orchard Avenue, Yeadon, are facing criminal attempt homicide charges and related offenses for allegedly firing six shots at the victim who was not struck.

“The victim came to court and was ready to testify,” Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. “Gardner’s preliminary hearing was continued. When the victim left and went outside, a friend of Gardner’s followed him and threatened him, calling him a rat and a snitch. I have zero tolerance for threatening a witness. We cannot allow witnesses to be attacked. It is totally unacceptable behavior when a witness comes forward to testify and is intimidated and threatened by a friend of the defendant.”

According to Chitwood, Officer Eric Colella was on patrol and saw the two men engaged in fisticuffs on the street at South Keystone Avenue and West Chester Pike right next door to the police station. They were separated and escorted back into the police station.

“The witness did not cower; he fought back,” Chitwood said. “The witness told police he was on the front steps of the police station when he was confronted and threatened.”

Clayton was arraigned on charges of intimidation of a witness or victim, retaliation against a witness or victim, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Bail was set at 10 percent of $25,000 pending a preliminary hearing Sept. 23 in district court.

The preliminary hearing for Gardner, who remains jailed in lieu of posting $200,000 cash bail was continued to Oct. 11.

Tynisha Gardner was ordered held for trial after a preliminary hearing in July for her involvement in the incident and is awaiting trial on charges of criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats, harassment, firearms not to be carried without a license and possession of a firearm by a minor.

According to Chitwood, Tynisha allegedly handed her brother a 25 caliber gun saying, ‘Shoot him. Shoot him,’ at the time of the incident.